Pediatric healthcare service utilization after the end of COVID-19 state of emergency in Northern Italy: a 6-year quasi-experimental study using interrupted time-series analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Evidence exists on the major disruptions in pediatric healthcare services occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, but what happened when all restrictions were lifted is unclear. This study examined trends in pediatric hospital admission and Emergency Department visit rates during the first 12 months following the end of the state of emergency in Italy, compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Methods

We conducted a multicenter, retrospective, quasi-experimental before after study including 11 North Italian hospitals. Using electronic health records from March 2017 to March 2023, we compared standardized rates recorded during 1 year following the end of the emergency with the situation before the pandemic, using interrupted time series. We examined trends overall and for in

SUBMITTER: Puntoni M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12408626 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature